Two Software-Programs That Left Me Speechless

[Dave In Vermont]

Well, these certainly are new to me. One I found through the US-based magazine Astronomy. The article was about field-of-view (FOV) programs to help people assemble their evening plans at the keyboard. But the article sold this software-program short at this. It does a whole lot more! Here's how they're describing themselves:

"Aladin is an interactive sky atlas allowing the user to visualize digitized astronomical images or full surveys, superimpose entries from astronomical catalogues or databases, and interactively access related data and information from the Simbad database, the VizieR service and other archives for all known astronomical objects in the field."

And here's the link. Explore this one. You'll thank yourself:

http://aladin.u-strasbg.fr/

I recommend downloading the Aladin Desktop. The Aladin Lite links to an excellent web-based version you can play with anytime you're connected to the web - at least that's what I can figure out so far. I'm still exploring. But the Desktop-version is a simple download to the larger program. The web-based Lite requires you have Java, which it will link you to if you don't - or it needs an update.

Oh yes - I'm not in the habit of selling software. That said - these programs are free.

And the 2nd. program is called TheSkyLive. Here is their introduction:

"Welcome to TheSkyLive, a comprehensive set of tools, data, sky maps and finder charts designed to provide a constantly up to date view of the Solar System. We help amateur astronomers plan their observations and curious users find key information about planets, asteroids and comets."

If for no other purpose, this is worth your time just for the absolute beauty of the mapping graphics embodied in it! Wow! Here goes:

http://theskylive.com/

To help you find your way, here's the site-map:

http://theskylive.com/sitemap

I'll leave off - and catch my breath - with a screen-shot.

Amazed,

Dave

[baggywrinkle]

Will try those when I get back off this trip I am on at present.

[wxsatuser]

Have been using Aladin for a while, very useful.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Aladin is a great tool. It is a professional tool, developed as a kind of virtual observatory. Astronomers can use it to find out if any observations they are planning have been done already and are in the public domain (if you get observing time on a scope, the resulting data are yours exclusively only for a year, afterwards, any astronomer can get access).

[Knight of Clear Skies]

Thanks, Aladin Lite looks useful to me. I'm looking for large nebulae that are bright enough for me to image with my camera lenses.

[damnut]

Hi Dave,

Many thanks for the links and for sharing. Have you looked at Celestia :-- http://www.shatters.net/celestia/

[Physopto]

Aladin,  I use but never heard of the other one thanks I will have a look at it.

Derek

[Dave In Vermont]

Hi Dave,

Many thanks for the links and for sharing. Have you looked at Celestia :-- http://www.shatters.net/celestia/

Thank you for Celestia. I've been playing with that one for awhile. Have you tried SpaceEngine?

http://en.spaceengine.org/

Give that a shout.

Dave

[David Smith]

Good post Dave, some interesting software packages. Thanks

[Relpet]

Well, these certainly are new to me. One I found through the US-based magazine Astronomy. The article was about field-of-view (FOV) programs to help people assemble their evening plans at the keyboard. But the article sold this software-program short at this. It does a whole lot more! Here's how they're describing themselves:

"Aladin is an interactive sky atlas allowing the user to visualize digitized astronomical images or full surveys, superimpose entries from astronomical catalogues or databases, and interactively access related data and information from the Simbad database, the VizieR service and other archives for all known astronomical objects in the field."

And here's the link. Explore this one. You'll thank yourself:

http://aladin.u-strasbg.fr/

I recommend downloading the Aladin Desktop. The Aladin Lite links to an excellent web-based version you can play with anytime you're connected to the web - at least that's what I can figure out so far. I'm still exploring. But the Desktop-version is a simple download to the larger program. The web-based Lite requires you have Java, which it will link you to if you don't - or it needs an update.

Oh yes - I'm not in the habit of selling software. That said - these programs are free.

And the 2nd. program is called TheSkyLive. Here is their introduction:

"Welcome to TheSkyLive, a comprehensive set of tools, data, sky maps and finder charts designed to provide a constantly up to date view of the Solar System. We help amateur astronomers plan their observations and curious users find key information about planets, asteroids and comets."

If for no other purpose, this is worth your time just for the absolute beauty of the mapping graphics embodied in it! Wow! Here goes:

http://theskylive.com/

To help you find your way, here's the site-map:

http://theskylive.com/sitemap

I'll leave off - and catch my breath - with a screen-shot.

Amazed,

Dave

Mars-Map.png

Congratulations, Dave.  You've made an old man very happy.  SkyLive looks as if it was made for me.  Would have loved to compare the SkyLive view with the real thing but completely overcast tonight.  Next clear sky Sunday.  Can't wait!

Peter

[Dave In Vermont]

Congratulations, Dave.  You've made an old man very happy.  SkyLive looks as if it was made for me.  Would have loved to compare the SkyLive view with the real thing but completely overcast tonight.  Next clear sky Sunday.  Can't wait!

Peter

TheSkyLive is very easy to grab screen-shot's out of that you can print and take with. If you don't want to lug a computer to your observing-site.

Thanks for the Thanks,

Dave

[m.tweedy]

I have used skylive on my iphone for a while as it is part of the brilliant Starwalk series